W.H.: Hagel delay 'unconscionable'

2/14/13 11:01 AM EST

The White House is bemoaning GOP senators' delaying of a confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel, calling it "unconscionable" and unreasonable.

"We urge Republicans in the Senate to drop their delay," principal deputy press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters aboard Air Force One Thursday. "These delaying tactics are unconscionable and they should end right away."

Republicans have signaled they are planning to block the confirmation of Hagel as defense secretary, and Democrats now say they don't have the 60 votes to break a GOP filibuster.

That could leave the nomination in legislative limbo as the Senate heads into a weeklong recess. GOP senators have said they are waiting for more information from the White House about Benghazi before moving forward on Hagel.

Earnest said the White House has cooperated with Congress on Benghazi, providing officials for testimony and thousands of pages of documents.

He said there is an important ministerial meeting with U.S. allies next week to discuss the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan.

"We need our new defense secretary to be there," he said. "It does not send a favorable signal for the Republicans of the U.S. Senate to delay a vote. ...It's difficult to explain to our allies why that’s happening."

He added that American troops around the world also need a leader.

"What we need is we need our new secretary of defense in place," Earnest said. "...There's no substitute for that and there is no good reason why he should not be there."